“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
It is so humbling that God would be this passionate in desiring us to be reconciled to Him. As Paul says in the verse above – to live as ambassadors for Christ is as though God were pleading through us. Who are we that the almighty God of love would be so keen to have us as children and plead with us to come to Him? Can’t He see our failures? Doesn’t He know our thoughts? Yet in Jesus Christ He has removed all of our sin as far as the East is from the West, and He is passionate about people coming to Him through faith in Jesus.
Paul’s awareness of God’s desires form his own attitude to the lost. He implores people to come to God. To implore someone is not an indifferent request, it’s not too chilled out or laid back for anyone to notice. It is passionate, desperate; it’s almost like begging people. Because God so strongly desires for all to be saved, Paul implores people.
Is there a sense of desperation in your life with Jesus? Not desperate in terms of hopelessness or weariness, but a desperation to see His kingdom come, to see His power at work, for revived hearts and minds, for His church to be fully awake with the joy of knowing Him. As a church, do we implore people to be reconciled to God? Does our passion reflect in how we pray for revival in our land?
May we be known as a people who implore Ireland to be reconciled with God, desperate to see His kingdom come, and may that be reflected in how we pray for the lost and our own hearts.
Father, Your love for me is too much to comprehend. The grace You show me is the best thing about life. The hope You bring is more valuable than anything else I can find. Please continue to renew my mind to give me a desire like Yours; that all may be reconciled to You. Father, would Your kingdom come in Ireland, let us see Your glory here! In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.